After a week of emotional stress, this past was a weekend for heartbreak in our home. Not direct heartbreak, but one that causes the edges to feel frayed, jagged.

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The first tear happened Friday, when we learned that a close friend (Husband's oldest friend) is separating from his wife. Not by his choice. When we talked to him on Saturday, we got more information and learned that she has even stated she doesn't want the responsibility of their daughter. I just can't imagine. And if my heart hurts this much, how much must his be hurting?

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The second blow to our hearts was when I attended a meeting Sunday. It was announced that someone we trust and rely on spiritually, someone who shephards a flock of thousands, has admitted to abusing his power - 40 years ago. The thing is, the abuse of power was of a nature that does not allow for forgiveness and then things move on. It's an abuse that I pray did not happen beyond what's been reported. I pray everyone will find peace in this situation. But, I know that before the peace, there will be a falling apart of sorts and I know it will rock our community in a way that no one could expect. I just pray that our faith will stay in focus and that we'll be able to forgive and move forward. It is, after all, not our call to judge.

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If you could pray for the peripherals of our lives, I'd appreciate it. We're actually doing really well, it's just when one is surrounded by despair, it tends to weigh heavily on one's own heart.

Does anyone else notice how most of these things have to do with Silly Sally? Well, to be honest, all Bookworm talks about is reading - and wanting to be a nun. We really thought they'd both be sold on the idea of dance classes, but Bookworm said she's more interested in swimming. The thing is, I'm not sure she would eventually make the swim team (she's a bit like her mother, not at all graceful). And as for dance? They're both a bit heavy-footed like their daddy.

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Husband and I did decide that it would be either swimming or dance, since we really want them involved in something physical. Because of the cost, we are not willing to have them in two different things at this time (they already take piano lessons - or, they will when we find them a teacher here). The plus side of swimming, is we would be required to have a membership at the Y and we could all enjoy that - plus I could work out during their classes.

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So.... any thoughts? We don't want them to be over-involved, but we do want to encourage a healthy interest in physical activity for both fun and to challenge onesself.

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*And if you have a precious little girl, you must enter this contest. I intend to shop at this stay-at-home mom's site in the event our precious little girls end up in dance classes.

Well, I have been completely horrible about posting since before we moved. In the next few weeks, I will try to catch you all up on what's going on in our neck of the woods.

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First, the move went fine. We are pretty much unpacked, though there are boxes piled in the basement (90% of which have been packed in boxes since at least 3 moves ago, which means more than 2 years). We'd like to get the basement sorted out and a playroom set up for the kids down there. (Maybe that will be a weekend project this weekend because it looks like our plans to take the kids into DC have been squashed by icky weather.)

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We like the house. It has a good feel to it, cozy... I'd like to get window treatments done, I'll work on getting the kitchen ones completed this weekend. I have created my first one, so I at least know how I'll be constructing them. It is kind of a pain, though, which is why the material has sat for two weeks. :)

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We joined the TORCH (homeschool) group and have already gotten together a few times with them. It is awesome to get plugged in and have the kids make some friends. I'm looking forward to getting to know some of the moms and finding one or two that I "click" with and can start building a real friendship or two here. This week, we actually went to the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore. The weather was perfect. But I have to tell you, we drove through the hood to get there. I couldn't believe the poverty we saw. The girls kept asking why people would live in this kind of place. The first of many such questions, I presume.

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I have a few posts I'd like to work on and as a way to hold myself accountable, and also to list what I think I'd like to write about (since I've been saving my posts in the hope of printing them as a journal one day).

*I'd like to update my flickr account with current pictures of our home and the girls.

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*I'd like to do a virtual Open House, so anyone who is interested can see our new place.

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*I'd like to talk about school, and how difficult we're finding it to get back in the groove after a lengthy winter break.

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*New neighbors, plus "how do I respond to well-meaning folks who say the schools are the best in the state - why on earth would you homeschool with access to these schools?!"

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*My baby, Silly Sally, has a birthday in two weeks. And she is going to be FIVE.

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*Homesickness: How I'm coping, or not. Plus, how do we pull $700 out of the air for flights to see our families?

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*Crafts! I am hankering for a crafty friend. Also, should I take a class at the fabric store? I just need an outlet. I'm going crazy here!

An email in my inbox this morning. I'm still trying to figure out how she sent it overnight.... :).bookworm@ourISP.comTo: Mommy (myEmail@free.com)Subject: Surprise!.Dear Mama,.Hope you feel better from your headache. ...Love,Bookworm.